Chapter 11 (Patient Safety)
Which of the following increase the risk for falls?
-Hospital environment -Medications -Illness
The elderly are at increased risk for falls because of which of the following?
-Medications -Unsteady gait -Vision changes
The Joint Commission defines a sentinel event as?
-an unexpected event -an event that results in high risk for death or serious injury -an event that results in serious injury or death
What is a significant problem in older adults?
Accidental poisoning
Studies have shown that rounding has decreased the rate of patients falls. What would be the best time for rounding?
Every hour
A patient is ambulating with assistance in the hallway and complains of severe dizziness and begins to fall. What should the PCT do first?
Gently lower the patient to the floor
What must the PCT do before applying a safety reminder device?
Get a physician's order
What physiologic change in the older adult increases the risk for injury?
Increased stimulation of the senses
How can the PCT help ensure a safe environment?
Keep the call light within the patient's reach?
What organ can be affected if there is a mercury spill?
Kidney
The older adults is at increased risk for poisoning from which of the following?
Medications
A newly admitted patient is disoriented and belligerent. When considering using a safety reminder device (SRD), what should the PCT do first?
Obtain a physician's order
When should a fall risk assessment be done?
On admission
What is the primary concern of the healthcare team?
Patient safety
What can a PCT do when caring for a patient with a history of seizures?
Protect the patient from falls
What should a PCT know when caring for a patient with internal radiation?
Protective equipment must be used
The PCT is caring for a resident with a safety reminder device who is complaining about the pain under the device. The PCT is aware that he is responsible for which of the following?
Reporting the pain to the nurse
What important safety precaution should the PCT teach parents in order to prevent burns to small children?
Turn pot handles on stoves away from reach
The PCT has been directed to perform hourly rounding. The PCT is aware that this intervention is intended to increase safety by preventing?
falls
The use of a safety reminder device can lead to an increase in ?
agitation
The PCt is aware that the patient may have safety reminder devices applied to the wrists for which purpose?
To prevent the patent from pulling at IV lines
What is true regarding when a patient care technician (PCT) is utilized as a sitter?
The PCT can be used with suicidal patients
Young children are at increased risk for injury because?
They frequently put objects in their mouths
